Hydroponics gardening is an approach to growing plants without soil.Return to Home Page Hydroponics gardening is an approach to growing plants without soil. To survive, the plants feed on nutrient solution contained in an impassive container, where the plant roots are also given support. The nutrient solution is perfectly pH balanced and delivered to the plant roots. The concept of using solely nutrient-enriched water is not new. It has been in use for thousands of years. The Floating Gardens of China and the hanging Gardens of Babylon are evidence to hydroponics. 1950 marked the year when scientists began probing into the soil-less gardening approach. Holland, Australia, and Germany are among the first to use hydroponics in crop production. Compared to ground-based garden, hydroponics have 50% faster growth rate, under similar conditions. Even the yield is greater in hydroponics. Scientists attribute such feature in a number of reasons. The extra oxygen in hydroponic medium is of help in stimulating the root growth as it makes the root to absorb faster the nutrients, which are prepared in a solution, which provides another reason. Nutrients are rapidly sent into the roots, where they are absorbed easily and quickly.
Also, the hydroponic plant does not require too much energy in finding and breaking down the food. The energy is saved for faster growth and fruit production. When it comes to bug infestation, the hydroponic plants are healthier and happier for they are not easily bombarded with funguses and diseases.
The nutrient solution is reused, and because of this, fewer pesticides are used. Soil erosion is also non-existent because it never uses soil in hydroponics. This means that hydroponic planting provides potential solution when agricultural continues to erode topsoil. Besides containing the nutrient solution, the medium in hydroponics gardening aerates the root system, while channeling the water and nutrients. There are different mediums used in hydroponics, depending on which system is employed. Hydroton and expanded shale are a fast-draining medium. They work well in ebb and flow type system. Hydroton is clay aggregate that is light expanded, allowing great amount of oxygen to aerate the root system. The shale is stable, and does not easily affect the pH of the nutrient solution. Rockwool is another medium that is rapidly becoming popular among enthusiasts. Originally used for insulation in construction, there is now horticultural grade of Rockwool available. The horticultural Rockwool is pressed into growing blocks or cubes. It is derived from volcanic limestone and rock.Hydroponics gardening is neither too expensive nor difficult to accomplish. There are simple steps to follow to ensure that the plants thrive. When it comes to cost, it also depends on which system is chosen.
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